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bandsaws: Delta 28-475X used or Grizzly G0555 new?

11K views 21 replies 7 participants last post by  jamsomito 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm in the market for a new bandsaw (have none currently), with a budget of $550. I was almost set to pull the trigger on a Grizzly G0555LANV and decided to look around on Craigslist where I found this Delta 28-475X up for sale. It's a 2HP variant and looks to be in excellent condition - owner says tires and blade guides (blocks) are still good. Can anyone speak to this saw? Which would you go with (or any others)? Thanks for the tips.

Grizzly saw: http://www.grizzly.com/products/14-Deluxe-Bandsaw-Anniversary-Edition/G0555LANV
Delta saw: https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tls/d/delta-rockwell-bandsaw-14-wood/6391964014.html

I'm aware I can't get new parts for the Delta any more, but I have a family member with a similar Delta saw that was willing to donate his fence so if that fits, it's one less difference between the two. It seems the Delta might have a more rigid and larger table, bigger motor, better dust collection, and a wheel base, whereas the Grizzly has cast iron wheels, roller guides, and a manufacturer's warranty (and I would be the first owner).

I'm not against buying used, but I'm not a mechanic with a midas touch that can turn a rust heap into a beautiful piece of precise machinery (not that this is that). I can do basic stuff. I've had one person suggest I replace the block guides with roller guides from Carter - would this be a worthwhile investment?
 
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#3 ·
The Grizzly is an imported clone of the US made Delta. Parts are available all over the place for them, just not from Delta ( See here: Delta Parts Availabilty ). The asking price is a bit high IMO though. And forget the carter stuff… the HSS guide blocks on the Delta are all you will ever need. You may want to read this guide comparison for more info: 14-inch bandsaw guide comparison by Jim Mattson (at woodworkers gazzette). The good stuff is on page 2.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#4 ·
I bought a porter cable 14" bandsaw from lowes for 399.00. I use it strictly for scroll work. It has a 1.5 hp motor and I added carter guide for scrolling with an 1/8" blade. I have a Rikon 14" deluxe for resawing with a 3/4" resaw king blade. The 2 saws makes a great setup. I would go with the porter cable for a starter bandsaw. I like it as well as the grizzly 555 I have used teaching school.
 
#7 ·
I have and use the Grizzly G0555LANV… It's okay I guess. I think it is just barely engineered and built enough to get by.

The bearings are cheap ones so get higher quality ones and replace the old one when needed.
 
#8 ·
Found another 28-475x with some pictures for comparison. https://www.irsauctions.com/popups/printable_lot_details.asp?lot=372448&id=21536

All I can find says this saw was equipped with a 1.5HP motor. The cabinet nameplate on this other listing I just found matches that of the local Craigslist post. 12.8 Amps. This makes me think they changed out the motor for a 2HP one on the unit I was looking to buy. Maybe it was to address the vibration issues? So you think a more powerful motor is a concern?
 
#9 ·
The 28-475 is just your standard Delta 14" wood cutting bandsaw on an enclosed sheet metal stand. The "X" ("X5" series) was a marketing promotion, where they raised the price a bit and gave them a 5 year warranty. Same machine, and the design of the machine over the years did not change much since they were introduced back in the 30's. Later years got stuff like hinged wheel covers, more (and thinner) stamped sheet metal, and other cost cutting changes.

The one shown in the auction above has some interesting owner modifications to it - it definitely is not stock. It also has one of those magic Delta motors that are rated at 1.5hp @ 120v, and 2hp @240v. Was to satisfy the powers that be so they could get a UL rating.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#11 ·
What do you see that s not stock? Seems pretty much the same as the other I found photos of, other than the motor.
- jamsomito
First thing I noticed is that the set screws for the upper guide blocks had been replaced with hex bolts. Although, some of the mods I thought were not stock apparently are (after I went and looked at the parts diagram) - like the tilt mechanism levers (instead of faucet handles), and the wheel pulley which appears to have been switched to a cast zinc material (instead of steel on previous models). I have two of those saws, but both are 1950's models, so that was my mistake.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#12 ·
Regarding the guides: You possibly should consider the ceramic guides that are available for your saw. They run cool and several manufacturers that install them as original equipment feel they will extend blade life by 40%. Google "ceramic band saw guide blocks." I put them on a different saw than you're considering and would not go back to phenolic guides or rollers. Just my opinion.
 
#13 ·
Too much for used saw.

I have a delta 14" and a grizzly 0555lx with riser. I hate the roller bearing setup on the grizzly and will replace them with the standard hss blocks eventually. Hard to adjust properly and crap builds up on them and the blade.
 
#14 ·
Thanks everyone. It was a hard choice but I eventually ended up going for the Grizzly g0555lanv new. It was $610 after freight and lift gate which was a bummer but it will be a great saw for me. Sounds like there are some upgrades I could consider in the future, but for now I already put in a mobile base and decent blade from highland woodworking and that was enough expense for one day! The used Delta was definitely overpriced after researching, and it was an hour and a half away, so that made my decision.
 
#15 ·
The used Delta was definitely overpriced after researching, and it was an hour and a half away, so that made my decision.
I agree that it was overpriced, by quite a bit IMO. Had it been a reasonable price, the drive distance wouldn't have mattered much. In fact, I recently did about the same length drive to pick up this one:

Gas Office chair Machine Motor vehicle Automotive design


But the price was only $85 :)

Cheers,
Brad
 

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#18 ·
So can anyone tell me what I need to do with a new blade?
Put it on the machine and start cutting. You can clean/lube it if you want, but it won't stay on longer than about 5 seconds. I've never found it necessary.

Alex snodgrass babdsaw setup vid. I'm sure someone has a link. I'm lazy.
Obligatory Band Saw tune up video:

Band Saw Clinic with Alex Snodgrass

Cheers,
Brad
 
#20 ·
Between watching the kids and getting out in the garage when I could, I got this guy all assembled and tuned up today. Really excited for the abilities this opens up on future projects. I was going to put this in a review, but I have no experience with bandsaws really at all yet, and I haven't spent much time on this particular one yet either. So, just an update for my own excitement :)

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This is the HTC2000 mobile base.
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Had some trouble getting the mounting holes aligned on the mobile base and the saw base.
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Finally got everything fastened for the base.
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On to the main attraction.
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The styrofoam really did it's job… I'm a little disappointed it had to be relied on so much, but thankfully everything was unscathed.
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It's smaller than I thought, but definitely the size I wanted.
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About got a hernia hoisting this up to within a half inch of what I needed to put it on the base only to have to put it back down and ask for help. I'll turn in my man card, this thing's dang heavy for a desk pilot.
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Got it all cleaned and tuned. It ran a bit rough at first but after running for a while it ironed itself out. I attributed this to tires not fully set or something, but it's nice and smooth now especially after adjusting the guides. And really quiet.

Nothing quite like a shiny new cast iron table top too. I put some T-9 Boeshield on it to soak and set for the night. I'll buff it out and add a layer of paste wax tomorrow.
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Some random thoughts: There was a lot of excess grease all over the blade guide area, like everything. Had to wipe that down. The goop on the table top was pretty easy to get off with some mineral spirits too, took maybe 10-15 minutes for a thorough clean. There were no instructions about assembling the tension quick release handle, but it wasn't complicated. The instructions for assembling the base were at the bottom of the main bandsaw package… I wasn't about to pull everything out just to build the base, so I had to google the manual and use my phone for the exploded diagram to see how it all was supposed to go together. I thought the blade guard was bent, but it turns out it's supposed to be that way. The mobile base slams the tool to the ground when you release the wheels, and it's tough to get it up off the ground, takes a bit of force on the levers.
 

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#21 ·
I got it all tuned up yesterday and made my first cuts.
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Holy dust, batman. By the end enough had stuck to my wall and scrap lumber that it was falling off in sheets. So much for a shiny new unit.
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I had a nice layer of caked-on dust on my bottom wheel. Is this a concern? All I have is a shop vac - if I hook this up with a 4" to 2.5" reducer, will that be enough to prevent this even? I feel like it's not.
Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Steering wheel Alloy wheel
 

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#22 ·
Also, my blade seems to be tracking a lot farther to the right today than it did yesterday - do these tires expand and contract with different temps? It was rubbing on both right-side guides (top and bottom) today but yesterday it was aligned properly. Maybe this is from the dust built-up on the tire? I had to readjust everything even though I left it exactly as it was yesterday. Just struck me as odd.
 
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